How Mirena® Works

Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) slowly releases very small amounts of the hormone levonorgestrel directly into your uterus.

There is no single explanation for how Mirena works. Mirena may:

  • Thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering your uterus
  • Inhibit sperm from reaching or fertilizing your egg
  • Make the lining of your uterus thin

Mirena may stop the release of your egg from your ovary, but this is not the way it works in most cases. Most likely the above actions work together to prevent pregnancy. Like other forms of birth control, Mirena is not 100% effective.

Diagram

Mirena keeps hormone levels steadier and lower than the Pill.

What Mirena looks like

What Mirena looks like

Mirena is a tiny T-shaped piece of soft, flexible plastic that is placed in the uterus by your healthcare provider during an office visit. It's designed to be small and comfortable, so that you and your partner most likely won't even feel like it's there.

Just The Facts

Just The Facts
Find out why Mirena might be a good choice for women who don't want to think about taking birth control every day.

Could Mirena Be Right
for You?

Could Mirena Be Right For You?
How does Mirena compare with other forms of birth control?


INDICATIONS & USAGE
Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing system placed in your uterus to prevent pregnancy for as long as you want for up to 5 years. Mirena also treats heavy periods in women who choose intrauterine contraception.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT MIRENA
Only you and your healthcare provider can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena is recommended for women who have had a child.

  • Don't use Mirena if you have a pelvic infection, get infections easily or have certain cancers. Less than 1% of users get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, see your healthcare provider.
  • Mirena may attach to or go through the wall of the uterus and cause other problems. If Mirena comes out, use back-up birth control and call your healthcare provider.
  • Although uncommon, pregnancy while using Mirena can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility.
  • Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear.
  • Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first few months and continue to be irregular. Periods over time may become shorter, lighter or even stop.

Mirena does not protect against HIV or STDs.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For important risk and use information, please see the patient prescribing information.

BAYER, the Bayer Cross, and Mirena are registered trademarks of Bayer.
myMirena and Keep Life Simple are trademarks of Bayer.


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